Module 1 Activity Research

Weekly Activity Template

Xinyu Lu

Project 1

Module 1

In Module 1, I explored how technology can translate body data into visual and emotional experiences. Through three activities, I learned how hardware and software interact. I first built LED circuits with Arduino, then collected live sensor data, and finally connected it to TouchDesigner to create responsive visuals that reacted to motion and touch. After these experiments, I studied WGSN trends on Fitness Health Tech and Emotional Experiences, focusing on how wellbeing and empathy can shape user interaction. Inspired by personas like The Privacy Keepers and The Energisers, I chose the Design Path and a Collaborative approach to develop a wearable concept that visualizes real-time heart rate data, connecting physical movement with emotional awareness.

Activity 1

<b>Powering the Arduino UNO</b><br>I am holding an Arduino UNO board that is connected to my laptop. The board is powered through a USB cable, and a bright purple onboard LED is glowing. This tells me that the Arduino is working correctly and ready for programming.

<b>Lighting up a red LED</b><br>I connected an LED to a breadboard and wired it to the Arduino. The red LED lights up, which means the circuit is complete and the code is working. This is my first successful test using digital output.

<b>Single LED circuit with jumper wires</b><br>I used jumper wires to connect a purple LED from the Arduino to the breadboard. The LED lights up clearly, showing that the current is flowing through the right path. I also added a resistor to protect the LED from too much power.

<b>Multi-LED setup with Arduino</b><br>I built a more complex setup with multiple LEDs and jumper wires connected to the Arduino. Both the red and purple LEDs turn on, controlled by the code I uploaded. It looks colorful and shows I can control several components at once.

<b>Button-Controlled LED Test</b><br>I added a push button to the breadboard and tested it with the red LED. When I press the button, the LED turns on, which shows the input is working. This helps me learn how to use digital input and output in my Arduino project.

Activity 2

<b>Testing My Makey Makey Connection</b><br>I connected my Makey Makey board to my laptop using different colored wires. I tested each wire by touching the clips and watching the response on the screen. I used this setup to control a digital interface on the computer.<br><br>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/XfDtj-X0XfU

<b>Setting Up the Makey Makey Board</b><br>I arranged alligator clips and connected them to the Makey Makey inputs. Each color wire has a specific function in my test. I checked the connections carefully to make sure the signals could be sent to the computer.

<b>Checking Data in ProtoPie Connect</b><br>I opened ProtoPie Connect on my laptop to see the data from my sensors. The screen shows messages for temperature and humidity with time and value. I used this to confirm that the sensors were working and sending live data.

<b>Using the Arduino Sensor Kit</b><br>I connected my Arduino Sensor Kit to the laptop and linked it to a temperature and humidity sensor. The green light showed that the board was powered and active. I also displayed the data on my phone to compare the readings.

<b>Reading Live Sensor Data</b><br>I tested the Arduino Sensor Kit again and watched the real-time results on my phone screen. It showed the temperature and humidity in my room. This helped me understand how physical sensors can control and display digital information.<br><br>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/pPx_ol-kE7k

Activity 3

<b>Connecting Arduino to TouchDesigner</b><br>I connected my Arduino Sensor Kit to the laptop and opened TouchDesigner. I used it to send sensor data to control the visual elements on the screen. The red circle changes based on the values I receive from the board.<br><br>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rB5bPn4QFqo

<b>Setting Serial Connection</b><br>I checked the serial settings inside TouchDesigner. I set the port to COM5 and the baud rate to 9600 to match the Arduino. This step helped me make sure the data could be received correctly in real time.

<b>Testing the Data Flow</b><br>I built a small network using Math, Filter, and Null nodes to clean and smooth the data. The large red circle on the screen reacted to the input values. It showed that my sensor connection and logic were working properly.

<b>Creating the Data Path</b><br>I connected the serial input to Select and Datto nodes to organize the data. This setup allowed me to control the visual changes with the sensor readings. I learned how to use CHOP and DAT operators together.

<b>Building the Final Visual Output</b><br>I used the Sphere and Transform nodes to make a simple 3D object that reacts to the data. When the sensor value changes, the sphere moves or changes its scale. This completed my test for connecting physical input with digital visuals.

Research Activity

WGSN Consumer Trend Research

The first trend, Fitness Health Tech, shows how technology can support people’s physical health. It focuses on smart devices and wearables that use real-time data to help users exercise, recover, and stay balanced. This trend connects technology with body awareness and healthy lifestyles.
The second trend, Emotional Experiences (UX/UI), explores how design and AI can understand and respond to human emotions. It focuses on creating digital systems that feel more caring and human.
Both trends show that future technology will focus on the link between the body and emotion. This research inspired me to design an interactive system that uses heart rate data to create visual and sound feedback, helping users understand both their physical and emotional states.

<b>Emotional Experiences (UX/UI)</b><br>This image shows how emotional data connects humans and technology. The research explores how users build emotional bonds with digital tools and AI companions. It shows that young people often feel both comfort and anxiety when interacting with technology, highlighting the need for more emotionally intelligent design.

<b>Fitness Health Tech – Body Tracking</b><br>This image represents how fitness technology uses body sensors to track movement and posture in real time. It shows how biometric data, such as joint angles and body motion, can help users improve their performance and avoid injury. The research connects technology with physical awareness and personal health improvement.

<b>Fitness Health Tech – Smart Devices</b><br>This image presents how wearable devices collect and display health data such as heart rate, recovery time, and exercise intensity. It reflects the growing trend of personalized fitness technology, where smart systems give users real-time feedback and help them understand their physical condition more clearly.

WGSN Personas Research

The Privacy Keepers value control, security, and trust in the digital world. They prefer technology that protects their personal information and allows them to stay private while still enjoying online life. They want clear data policies and transparent systems that make them feel safe and respected.
The Energisers are active, optimistic, and socially connected people. They enjoy experiences that make them feel alive, whether through fitness, entertainment, or social interaction. They are open to new technology that supports creativity, movement, and wellbeing.

<b>The Privacy Keepers</b><br>A calm and confident group who value independence and control. They focus on digital safety and prefer technology that respects personal boundaries. They appreciate simple, trustworthy design and clear communication about data use.

<b>The Energisers</b><br>Active and playful people who enjoy social connection and creativity. They like to share joyful moments and explore new experiences. They use technology to stay connected and express positive energy in daily life.

<b>Proof Points</b><br>78% of adults trust themselves to make the right privacy decisions but still worry about how companies use their data. 38% of people appreciate spending less time online to find joy and balance in real-world activities. These insights show that users care deeply about both privacy and emotional wellbeing.

HMI Research

In my HMI research, I explore how technology can connect both body and emotion. In Fitness Health Tech, I notice that people often lose motivation because devices focus only on numbers instead of feelings. In Emotional Experiences (UX/UI), I see the need for empathy-driven and human-centered design. I believe future technology should balance data and emotion to support motivation, comfort, and wellbeing.

This image shows new health technology that measures body and fitness data in real time. These systems collect information like heart rate, oxygen level, and glucose changes to help users understand their physical condition better. It reflects the trend of connecting health tracking with daily wellness.

The chart and app design focus on emotional technology. They show how people’s feelings toward AI change over time, from uncertainty to trust. The Memory Land app explores how digital design can support emotional needs and memories in meaningful ways.

This part shows how design research explores digital senses and emotional expression. The sketches and data visualization study how users may interact with technology that enhances sensory experiences, like taste and feeling.

Project Path

In my project path, I focus on the Design direction because I want to create meaningful systems that connect physical data with emotional experience. I choose to work collaboratively, as teamwork allows me to combine technical and creative skills, using tools like sensors, wearables, and TouchDesigner. My project ideas include a wearable that visualizes heart rate and emotional changes in real time, and an interactive feedback system that uses visuals and sound to help users feel calm and balanced after exercise. Through this, I aim to design technology that supports both body and mind awareness.

This image shows a wearable device used to collect real-time physiological data such as heart rate and activity type. It represents how body signals are tracked during different exercises and become the foundation of our interactive design.

The heart rate chart visualizes how physical activity changes over time. It shows moments of calm and intensity, which help us translate body data into visual feedback that reflects emotional and physical states.

This visual from TouchDesigner demonstrates how data is transformed into moving light and color patterns. The dynamic shapes respond to body rhythm, turning invisible biological signals into expressive digital art.

Project 1 Concept

This project explores how real-time biometric data can be transformed into visual and auditory experiences that reflect users’ physical and emotional states while doing exercise. We are planning to design a wristband that detects heart rate, the system creates a sensory bridge between the body’s inner state and external media feedback. When the user engages in calm activities such as yoga or stretching, the visuals may become soft and fluid, accompanied by slow, ambient music. During intense activities like running or boxing, the visuals shift to dynamic, high-contrast patterns and fast rhythms. If the heart rate rises to an abnormal level, the system triggers a gentle warning, this help users maintain awareness of their health and limits. Beyond exercise, this project also investigates how heart rate changes can express emotional moments in daily life and how music or visuals can act as an emotional mirror to the user’s inner world.